1. Call to Order and Welcome

The Chair, Donna Marie Kennedy, called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m. She welcomed Gordon McIntyre, Depute Registrar, Administration, General Teaching Council for Scotland. Gordon McIntyre presented the College with a crystal bowl on behalf of the GTCS.

The Chair reminded Council members that the Steering Committee consisted of John Cruickshank and Kathleen McFadyen.

It was agreed that the Minutes would be amended to note that it had been William Rogers who had requested a recorded vote on page 3 of the Minutes.

It was moved and seconded by Steering, and

CARRIED,

That Council approve the Minutes of the December 10-11, 1998 Meeting of the Council of the Ontario College of Teachers, as corrected.

4. Business Arising

There was no business arising to report.

5. Registrar’s Report GC19990225-4, 32

The Registrar, Margaret Wilson, spoke to her report. She reported that the Minister’s Task Force on Teacher Recruitment and Renewal was considering a number of recommendations (circulated as document number GC19990225-32). A question and answer session followed. During this period clarification was provided by the Speaker that notices of motion would not be considered at this time.

6. Committee Reports

6.1 Executive Committee Report GC19990225-6

The report of the Executive Committee was received. The Chair, Donna Marie Kennedy, spoke briefly to the report. A question and answer session followed.

6.2 Standards of Practice and Education Committee Report GC19990225-7

The report of the Standards of Practice Committee was received. The Chiar, Clarice West-Hobbs, spoke to the report. A question and answer period followed.

6.3 Discipline Committee Report GC19990225-8,9

The report of the Discipline Committee was received. A Supplementary Report, GC19990225-9, containing the reasons for decision and orders of panels was circulated for information. This information would also be available in the College Library.

6.4 Fitness to Practise Committee Report GC19990225-10

A revised report of the Fitness to Practise Committee was circulated. The Chair, Marilyn Laframboise, advised the meeting that advice would be sought from Counsel about enhancing the content of future reports.

6.5 Registration Appeals Committee Report GC19990225-11

The Report of the Registration Appeals Committee was received. Chair, Michel Gravelle, spoke briefly to the report. A question and answer session followed. It was agreed that future reports would contain enhanced detail and substance, without compromising the identity of the applicants.

6.6 Accreditation Committee Report GC19990225-12

The Report of the Accreditation Committee was received. Cecilia Reynolds, Chair of the Accreditation Committee, spoke to the report. A question and answer session followed.

She indicated that the results of accreditation deliberations, including “Accreditation with Conditions” decisions would be shared with Council members.

6.7 Finance Committee Report GC19990225-13,14

The report of the Finance Committee was received, as was a memo covering the Executive Committee's review of the recommendation of the Finance Committee. Solette Gelberg, Vice-Chair of the Finance Committee, spoke to the report. During a question and answer session she undertook to raise with the Committee the possibility of including details of the percentage of variance from the original budget in future financial reports.

It was moved by Solette Gelberg, seconded by Donna Marie Kennedy, and

CARRIED,

That Council appropriate a further sum from the Members’ Equity Account for the Reserve for Working Capital in the amount available up to $3,300,000.

6.8 Investigation Committee Report GC19990225-15

The report of the Investigation Committee was received. Harry Mulvale, Chair of the Committee, informed the members of Council that an ADR (Alternate Dispute Resolution) process had been adopted as it applied to the investigation procedure. A proposed amendment to the Bylaws would be referred to the next Council Meeting.

6.9 Election Committee Report GC19990225-16

The report of the Election Committee was received. Doug Carter, Chair of the Committee, spoke to the report. A question and answer period followed.

6.10 Quality Assurance Committee Report GC19990225-17

The report of the Quality Assurance Committee was received. Karen Mitchell, Chair of the Committee, spoke to the report.

7. Correspondence GC19990225-18, 19, 22

Correspondence from the following was received for information:

Robert Runciman, Solicitor General and Minister of Correctional Services (GC19990225-18) acknowledging receipt of the Criminal Records Screening Policy of the College.

David Johnson, Minister of Education and Training (GC19990225-20) regarding proposed consultations about "Setting new standards for school safety".

8. Presentation by Nicholas Myrhorod

Council agreed to change the agenda to allow Nicholas Myrhorod to make a presentation to Council at this time. Nicholas Myrhorod indicated that for personal reasons he would not likely be attending any future Council meetings. He thanked the members for their support and friendship. He asked Margaret Wilson to accept a painting of the Parry Sound area that had been painted and signed by his father.

Donna Marie Kennedy, on behalf of Council, thanked Nicholas Myrhorod for his contributions and gift to the College.

Guest: Gordon McIntyre, Depute Registrar, General Teaching Council for Scotland

Regrets: Liz Barkley, Paul Charron and Nicholas Myrhorod

The meeting resumed at 9:00 a.m.

9. New Business

9.1 Establishment of a Roster of Panelists GC19990225-23

It was moved and seconded by Steering, “That Council approve in principle the following proposed amendments to the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996, andRegulation 72/97 under the Act:

1. That the Ontario College of Teachers Act be amended by the addition of new subsection 17(3) to read:

17(3) A panel of a committee mentioned in subsection 15(1) that consists of more than one person may, where prescribed in the regulations, include persons who are not otherwise members of the committee, but a majority of members of any panel shall be members of the committee.

2. That Regulation 72/97 under the Ontario College of Teachers Act be amended by the addition of new subsection 18.1 to read:

18.1 Council shall establish a roster of persons who are eligible to be appointed to a panel of the Discipline Committee or the Fitness to Practise Committee, in accordance with subsection 22(6) and 25(6) of this Regulation.

3. That Regulation 72/97 under the Ontario College of Teachers Act be amended by the addition of new subsections (6) and (7) to section 22 to read:

22(6) If in the opinion of the Chair of the Discipline Committee, it is not practical to assign the required number of committee members to the panel for the hearing, the Chair may appoint to the panel one or more persons who are not members of the Committee.

22(7) The Chair may only appoint a person to a panel pursuant to subsection 22(6) if the person is a member of the roster referred to in section 18.1.

4. That Regulation 72/97 under the Ontario College of Teachers Act be amended by the addition of new subsections (6) and (7) to section 25 to read:

25(6) If in the opinion of the Chair of the Fitness to Practise Committee, it is not practical to assign the required number of committee members to the panel the Chair may appoint to the panel one or more persons who are not members of the Committee.

25(7) The Chair may only appoint a person to a panel pursuant to subsection 25(6) if the person is a member of the roster referred to in section 18.1.”

It was moved by Harry Mulvale, and

CARRIED,

That Council split the above motion into four divisions.

CARRIED,

That Council approve in principle the following proposed amendment to the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996:

That the Ontario College of Teachers Act be amended by the addition of new subsection 17(3) to read:

17(3) A panel of a committee mentioned in subsection 15(1) that consists of more than one person may, where prescribed in the regulations, include persons who are not otherwise members of the committee, but a majority of members of any panel shall be members of the committee.

CARRIED,

That Council approve in principle the following proposed amendment toRegulation 72/97 under the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996:

That Regulation 72/97 under the Ontario College of Teachers Act be amended by the addition of new subsection 18.1 to read:

18.1 That Council shall establish a roster of persons who are eligible to be appointed to a panel of the Discipline Committee or the Fitness to Practise Committee, in accordance with subsection 22(6) and 25(6) of this Regulation.

CARRIED,

That Council approve in principle the following proposed amendment to Regulation 72/97 under the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996:

That Regulation 72/97 under the Ontario College of Teachers Act be amended by the addition of new subsections (6) and (7) to section 22 to read:

22(6) If in the opinion of the Chair of the Discipline Committee, it is not practical to assign the required number of committee members to the panel for the hearing, the Chair may appoint to the panel one or more persons who are not members of the Committee.

22(7) The Chair may only appoint a person to a panel pursuant to subsection 22(6) if the person is a member of the roster referred to in section 18.1.

CARRIED,

That Council approve in principle the following proposed amendment to Regulation 72/97under the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996:

That Regulation 72/97 under the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996, be amended by the addition of new subsections (6) and (7) to section 25 to read:

25(6) If in the opinion of the Chair of the Fitness to Practise Committee, it is not practical to assign the required number of committee members to the panel the Chair may appoint to the panel one or more persons who are not members of the Committee.

25(7) The Chair may only appoint a person to a panel pursuant to subsection 25(6) if the person is a member of the roster referred to in section 18.1.

9.2 Council Meeting Dates, 2000 GC19990225-33

It was moved and seconded by Steering, and

CARRIED,

That Council approve the meeting dates in the year 2000 as set out in document GC1990225-33.

9.3 Previously Received Notices of Motions

9.3.1 Targeted Funding for Faculties (Cornack/Reynolds) GC19990225-28

It was agreed that the rationale received with the notice of this motion be removed. It was moved by Wayne Cornack, and seconded by Cecilia Reynolds: “That the Ontario College of Teachers request that the Minister of Education and Training provide sufficient funding targeted specifically to the Ontario Faculties of Education to fund an additional 2000 spaces in Primary/Junior and core technological and academic subjects in Intermediate/Senior pre-service teacher education programs for 1999-2000.”

It was moved by William Rogers and seconded by Diane Leblovic that the Cornack/Reynolds motion be amended by substitution as follows: “That be it resolved that the Ontario College of Teachers request that the Minister of Education and Training offer funding to universities to provide funding for up to 2000 additional spaces in Primary/Junior and core technological and academic subjects in Intermediate/Senior pre-service teacher education programs for 1999-2000 to address the teacher shortage.”

It was moved by Bill Bryce, and

CARRIED,

That Council split the above amendment motion into three divisions.

CARRIED,

That Council agree to amend the Cornack/Reynolds motion by substitution of the word “offer” in place of “provide”.

LOST,

That Council agree to amend the Cornack/Reynolds motion by addition of the words “up to” before the words “2000 spaces”.

CARRIED,

That Council agree to amend the Cornack/Reynolds motion by addition of the words “to address the teacher shortage” at the end of the sentence.

It was moved by Bill Bryce, seconded by George Merrett, and

CARRIED,

That the Rogers/Leblovic amendment motion be amended by substitution and addition of the words: “for the next five years commencing with the 1999-2000 academic year”, in place of the words: “1999-2000”.

A vote was taken on the main (Cornack/Reynolds) motion, as amended, and it was

CARRIED,

That the Ontario College of Teachers request that the Minister of Education and Training offer sufficient funding targeted specifically to the Ontario Faculties of Education to fund an additional 2000 spaces in Primary/Junior and core technological and academic subjects in Intermediate/Senior pre-service teacher education programs for the next five years commencing with the 1999-2000 academic year to address the teacher shortage.

9.3.2 Usage of Letters of Permission (Cornack/Reynolds) GC19990225-29

It was agreed that the rationale received with the notice of this motion be removed.

On a point of order raised by a Council member, additional information was ruled "out of order" by the Speaker because it did not reflect the essence of the motion before the meeting

It was moved by Wayne Cornack, seconded by Cecilia Reynolds, and

CARRIED,

That the Ontario College of Teachers request the Minister of Education and Training to provide a full report to the College on the usage of Letters of Permission and enforcement of the advertising provisions of Regulation 183 under the Education Act by March 15, 1999, and by January 31 of each subsequent school year.

It was agreed that the rationale received with the notice of this motion be removed.

It was moved by Wayne Cornack, and seconded by Cecilia Reynolds, “That the Ontario College of Teachers request the Minister of Education and Training to provide a full report to the College on the usage and enforcement of the emergency provisions under section 21 of Regulation 298 under the Education Act by March 15, 1999 and by January 31 of each subsequent school year.”

It was moved by John Cruickshank, seconded by Donna Marie Kennedy, and

CARRIED,

That Council call the question on the Cornack/ Reynolds motion.

A vote was taken on the Cornack/Reynolds motion, and it was

CARRIED,

That the Ontario College of Teachers request the Minister of Education and Training to provide a full report to the College on the usage and enforcement of the emergency provisions under section 21 of Regulation 298 under the Education Act by March 15, 1999 and by January 31 of each subsequent school year.

9.3.4 Principals and Vice-Principals Action Plan GC19990225-31

It was moved by Wayne Cornack, and seconded by Cecilia Reynolds, “That Council request the Accreditation Committee and the Standards of Practice and Education Committee to prepare an action plan for dealing with a shortage of candidates for the positions of Principal and Vice-Principal, with a report to the May 27-28, 1999 meeting of the Council.”

The word “current” in the following Somer/Bell amendment was removed by a friendly amendment.

It was moved by David Somer, seconded by Sandi Bell, and

CARRIED,

That Council amend the Cornack/Reynolds motion by the addition of the words “while maintaining high standards” after the word: “Vice-Principal”.

A vote was taken on the main motion, as amended, and it was

CARRIED,

That Council request the Accreditation Committee and the Standards of Practice and Education Committee to prepare an action plan for dealing with a shortage of candidates for the positions of Principal and Vice-Principal while maintaining high standards, with a report to the May 27-28, 1999 meeting of the Council.

9.4 Letters of Permission

It was moved and seconded by Steering, and

CARRIED,

That WHEREAS Bylaw 3.06(d) states that a Council meeting may only consider motions which the members of the Council agree to consider by a two-thirds vote of those in attendance, that Council consider the Mulvale/Capstick motion on Letters of Permission.

It was moved by Harry Mulvale, seconded by Larry Capstick and

CARRIED,

That Council request the Executive Committee to prepare a report to Council on amendments required to the Education Act and/or Regulations to give jurisdiction over persons assigned to teach under a “Letter of Permission” to the Ontario College of Teachers.

10. Next Meeting

A Special Council Meeting to be held by conference call was scheduled for April 29, 1999 at 4:00 p.m. The Annual Meeting of Council would be held on May 27-28, 1999 and the Annual Meeting of Members would take place on Saturday, May 29, 1999.